Morocco Solo: A Safe & Stress-Free 5-Day Itinerary (Perfect for First-Timers)

Flying to Morocco

I arrived at Marrakech Menara Airport via Royal Air Maroc. I flew from Portugal with a connection in Casablanca, which was fairly easy to navigate. A 1.5-hour layover was enough to make my connection from Casablanca to Marrakech.

If you have a layover of 12+ hours, I highly recommend taking a quick day tour of Casablanca to see the sights. For example, this one from Viator would be ideal and includes an airport transfer
Casablanca Layover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfer

Day 1: Arrival day 

• If you arrive early in the day: Take it easy! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I don’t have to hop off the plane and rush straight into activities. I can rest, breathe, and sleep—and that’s okay.
• If you want to explore right away:
  • Settle into your accommodations ( ensure that you know exactly how to get back if you are staying in old city)
  • Sign up for a cooking class or a walking food tour—great ways to familiarize yourself with the area and the culture

Day 2: Camel Riding & ATV Tour

I booked this tour through Airbnb Experiences, and it was amazing—especially because the other participants were also Black women! It was so nice to meet fellow travelers who were kind and lovely. We clicked instantly, and over the next few days, we ended up exploring restaurants and the Medina together.

I would recommend booking with Mochine they were punctual, responsive and organized a pick up drop up from my Riad. Unforgettable ATV and camel adventure

Day 3: Exploring Marrakech – Key Sights & Medina Tour

I booked a full-day tour of Marrakech through Airbnb, and my guide, Jamal, was fantastic. He was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and shared great tips for navigating the souks, which gave me the confidence to explore on my own later. You can book the same tour with Jamal on airbnb, Walk the streets of Marrakech with a local guide

Key Sights

The Medina at night time

The Medina is always busy, but it truly comes alive at night. You will see snake charmers, crowds of people, live music, vendors etc. it’s chaotic but also full of fun energy. It’s also a lot more bearable in the evening when you’re not walking around in nearly 40°C (104°F) heat.

Shopping in the Souks

• Get comfortable haggling or just forget about shopping altogether! Bargaining is part of the culture.

Day 4: Day Trip to Essaouira

I highly recommend taking a break from the intensity of Marrakech and exploring another part of the country—even on a short trip. Essaouira was the perfect choice:

• A charming seaside town with a slower, but still vibrant, energy compared to Marrakech.
• Shopping the souks here was way more relaxed than in Marrakech.
  

Day 5: Solo Shopping & Dinner in the Medina

For my last day, I spent time shopping solo in the souks and enjoying a final dinner in the Medina. After days of guided tours and group activities, it was nice to explore at my own pace.

Overall impression

Morocco is a dream destination, but it can feel a bit daunting for travelers looking to explore it on a short trip. I managed to see a good portion of the country in just five days, but to truly experience all that Morocco has to offer, you’ll need to set aside more time. Fez, rabat, Chefchaouen are places I would absolutely love to go back and visit

I paired this trip with my visit to Lisbon—I’m a huge advocate for combining travel destinations. Morocco will pair seamlessly with Spain or Portugal (or both!)